Accessory outlet apparatus

ABSTRACT

An accessory outlet apparatus includes a main body, a lighter unit including a coil provided at the main body to receive electricity to heat the coil, one or more power outlets provided at the main body to receive electricity and to provide power to external devices plugged into the one or more power outlets, and a control unit to control a supply of the electricity to the lighter unit and to the one or more power outlets.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of prior application Ser. No.11/106,547, filed Apr. 15, 2005, in the U.S. Patent and TrademarkOffice.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present general inventive concept relates to an accessory outletapparatus, and more particularly, to an accessory outlet apparatus witha coil type heated lighter that provides power to external devices andallows a user to light a smoking implement when access to a personallighting device is not available.

2. Description of the Related Art

Due to growing public health concerns, smoking in public areas isgenerally limited to designated smoking areas. However, smoke odors andsmoke pollution are not always contained in the designated smokingareas. Accordingly, it is desirable to reduce the smoke odors and smokepollution occurring in and around the designated smoking areas.

In light of recent security concerns, many public areas do not permitpersonal sources of heat, ignition, or fire, including cigarettelighters and matches. This is inconvenient for smokers because itprevents smoking even in the designated smoking areas. Accordingly, itis desirable to allow smokers to light smoking implements (i.e.cigarettes, cigars, etc.) without the use of a personal lighting device.

Also, it is difficult for a person having a personal electronic device,such as a laptop computer, a cellular telephone, a portable listeningdevice, and the like, to charge or supply power to the personalelectronic device in public areas due to a lack of conveniently locatedelectrical outlets. Furthermore, many public areas do not have thenecessary types of outlets to charge or supply power to various types ofthese personal electronic devices. Accordingly it is desirable toprovide conveniently located outlets of various types in public areas.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present general inventive concept provides an apparatus that allowsa user to light a smoking implement, such as a cigarette, a cigar, etc.,when the user does not have access to a personal lighting device.

The present general inventive concept also provides an apparatus thatallows a user to conveniently charge and/or apply power to a personalelectronic device.

The present general inventive concept also provides an apparatus thatallows a user to conveniently connect a personal electronic device tothe internet.

Additional aspects of the present general inventive concept will be setforth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will beobvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of thegeneral inventive concept.

The foregoing and/or other aspects of the present general inventiveconcept are achieved by providing an accessory outlet apparatus,including a main housing, a power supply housing separated from the mainhousing, a lighter unit including a coil provided at the main housing toreceive a voltage to heat the coil, and a power supply unit provided inthe power supply housing to receive electricity from an external powersource, to convert the received electricity into a voltage compatiblewith the lighter unit, and to transmit the compatible voltage to thelighter unit to heat the coil.

The foregoing and/or other aspects of the present general inventiveconcept are also achieved by providing an accessory outlet apparatus,including a main body, a lighter unit including a coil provided at themain body to receive electricity to heat the coil, one or more poweroutlets provided at the main body to receive electricity and to providepower to external devices plugged into the one or more power outlets,and a control unit to control a supply of the electricity to the lighterunit and to the one or more power outlets.

The foregoing and/or other aspects of the present general inventiveconcept are also achieved by providing an accessory outlet apparatus,including a main body, a lighter including a coil attached to the mainbody to receive electricity to heat the coil, one or more internetconnection ports provided at the main body to connect external devicesplugged into the one or more internet connection ports to the internet,and a control unit to selectively supply the electricity to the lighterand to selectively connect the internet connection ports to theinternet.

The foregoing and/or other aspects of the present general inventiveconcept are also achieved by providing an accessory outlet apparatus,including a lighter unit including a coil to receive a DC voltage toheat the coil, at least one DC outlet to receive the DC voltage, toaccommodate a first type of plug, and to transfer the received DCvoltage to an external device through the first type of plug, at leastone AC outlet to receive an AC voltage from an external power source, toaccommodate a second type of plug, and to transfer the received AVvoltage to an external device through the second type of plug, and atleast one internet connection port to communicate with the internet, toaccommodate a third type of plug, and to connect an external device tothe internet through the third type of plug.

The foregoing and/or other aspects of the present general inventiveconcept are also achieved by providing an accessory outlet system,including a plurality of accessory outlet stations, each comprising alighter unit to light a smoking implement, one or more DC outlets toprovide DC power to external devices, one or more AC outlets to provideAC power to external devices, and one or more internet connection portsto connect external devices to the internet, and a kiosk connected tothe plurality of accessory outlet stations to control a supply ofelectricity and an internet access capability of each of the pluralityof accessory outlet stations.

The foregoing and/or other aspects of the present general inventiveconcept are also achieved by providing an accessory outlet system,including a plurality of accessory outlet stations, each comprising alighter unit to light a smoking implement, one or more DC outlets toprovide DC power to external devices, one or more AC outlets to provideAC power to external devices, one or more internet connection ports toconnect external devices to the internet, and a credit card reader, anda main controller, connected to the plurality of accessory outletstations to control a supply of electricity and an internet accesscapability of each of electricity and an internet access capability ofeach of the plurality of accessory outlet stations.

The lighter unit may also be used as an additional DC outlet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and/or other aspects and advantages of the present generalinventive concept will become apparent and more readily appreciated fromthe following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a smoking apparatus according to anembodiment of the present general inventive concept; and

FIG. 2 is an interior view illustrating the smoking apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are views illustrating accessory outlet apparatusesseparately housing a lighter and a power supply unit according tovarious embodiments of the present general inventive concept.

FIGS. 5-14 are views illustrating accessory outlet apparatuses withself-contained power supply units according to various embodiments ofthe present general inventive concept.

FIG. 15 is a view illustrating an accessory outlet station according toan embodiment of the present general inventive concept.

FIG. 16 is a view illustrating an accessory outlet system according toan embodiment of the present general inventive concept.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the presentgeneral inventive concept, examples of which are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the likeelements throughout. The embodiments are described below in order toexplain the present general inventive concept while referring to thefigures.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a smoking apparatus according to an embodimentof the present general inventive concept. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2,the smoking apparatus includes a main body 1, a door 2 disposed at aside portion of the main body 1 to access an interior portion of themain body 1, a smokeless ashtray 5 provided at an upper surface of themain body 1, at least one lighter 6 provided at the upper surface of themain body 1, a coin machine 9 to accept coins and activate the smokelessashtray 5 and the lighter 6, and a bill acceptor 8 to accept bills andactivate the smokeless ashtray 5 and the lighter 6. The smokingapparatus can be connected to an external power source, such as a walloutlet, to supply power to the smokeless ashtray 5, the lighter 6, thecoin machine 9, and the bill acceptor 8. The smoking apparatus canfurther include a transformer 10 to convert the power supplied from theexternal power source into a power compatible with the lighter 6. Thesmokeless ashtray 5 can be an ashtray with an electric fan drawing smokethrough a filter 11.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the main body 1 can be provided in the form ofa box, and can have the dimensions of 5″×15″×18″ in order to fitconveniently on a wall in public places. However the present generalinventive concept is not limited to this configuration, and the mainbody 1 may be provided in any shape or size that is convenient to a useror a location of use.

The coin machine 9 includes a coin slot 3 opened at an outer surface ofthe main body 1 and a coin reject button 4 protruding from the outersurface of the main body. The user can insert coins into the coin slot 3and can retrieve the coins inserted into the coin slot 3 by pressing thecoin reject button 4 if the coins have not been accepted. The coinmachine 9 counts the coins inserted into the coin slot 3 and provides aclosed circuit for electricity to flow to the smokeless ashtray 5 fromthe external power source and to the lighter 6 from the transformer 10when a predetermined amount of currency has been inserted. The coinmachine 9 stores the coins inserted into the coin slot 3 and isaccessible through the door 2.

The bill acceptor 8 includes a bill slot opened at an outer surface ofthe main body 1 to insert bills therein. The bill acceptor 8 counts thebills inserted into the bill slot and provides a closed circuit forelectricity to flow to the smokeless ashtray 5 from the external sourceand to the lighter 6 from the transformer 10 when the predeterminedamount of currency has been inserted. The bill acceptor 8 stores thebills inserted in the bill slot and is accessible through the door 2.

The lighter 6 is provided at the upper surface of the main body 1 andcontains coils (not shown) to allow the user to light a smokingimplement (i.e., a cigarette, a cigar, etc.). The lighter 6 is attachedto the main body 1 by a security chain 7 to prevent the lighter 6 frombeing removed from the smoking apparatus, and wiring to provideelectricity to the coils of the lighter 6. The lighter 6, as illustratedin FIGS. 1 and 2, can include an automobile type lighter having thecoils that heat up to light the smoking implement, and a lighter port toaccommodate the automobile style lighter. The lighter port is a 12 voltpower source to supply the electricity to the coils of the automobiletype lighter when the automobile type lighter is pressed into thelighter port.

The transformer 10 receives the power supplied by the external powersource and outputs a 12 volt direct current signal to the lighter port.For example, when the external power source is the wall outlet, thetransformer 10 receives one of a 110 volt alternating current signal anda 220 volt alternating current signal from the wall outlet depending onlocal specifications of the wall outlet, converts the receivedalternating current signal into the 12 volt direct current signal, andtransmits the 12 volt direct current signal to the lighter port.

The smokeless ashtray 5 includes an air filter 11 to filter smokeemitted from the smoking implement of the user. The smokeless ashtray 5controls elements, such as smoke odors and pollution, caused by thesmoking implement to reduce the impact of these elements on a nonsmoker.

The user can activate the smoking apparatus by inserting coins into thecoin slot 3 of the coin machine 9 or inserting bills into the bill slotof the bill acceptor 8. When the user inserts the coins into the coinslot 3, the coin machine 9 receives and counts the coins, when apredetermined amount of currency is calculated, the coin machine 9provides a closed circuit between the external power source and thesmokeless ashtray 5 and between the transformer 10 and the lighter 6 toactivate the smokeless ashtray 5 and the lighter 6, respectively.Similarly, when the user inserts the bills into the bill slot of thebill acceptor 8, the bill acceptor 8 counts the bills, and when thepredetermined amount of currency is calculated, the bill acceptorprovides a closed circuit between the external power source and thesmokeless ashtray 5 and between the transformer 10 and the lighter 6 toactivate the smokeless ashtray 5 and the lighter 6, respectively.

When the coin machine 9 or the bill acceptor 8 provides the closedcircuit between the transformer 10 and the lighter 6, electricity flowsto the lighter 6 for a first predetermined amount of time to allow theuser to operate the lighter 6 to light a smoking implement. For example,when the lighter 6 includes the automobile type lighter and the lighterport, electricity flows to the lighter port for the first predeterminedamount of time, the lighter port supplies power to the coils of thelighter 6 for an amount of time long enough to heat up the coils, andthe user lights the smoking implement from the heated coils.

When the coin machine 9 or the bill acceptor 8 provides the closedcircuit between the external power source and the smokeless ashtray 5,electricity flows to the smokeless ashtray 5 for a second predeterminedamount of time to operate the smokeless ashtray such that the smokeodors and pollution are drawn into the smokeless ashtray 5 and filteredwhile the user smokes the smoking implement. The electricity flows fromthe external source to the smokeless ashtray 5 for the secondpredetermined amount of time, which in turn operates the air filter 11for the second predetermined amount of time.

Although the smoking apparatus is described above as being activated bythe user inserting currency into the coin slot 3 or the bill acceptor 8,the present general inventive concept is not limited thereto. Thesmoking apparatus can alternatively operate without inserting moneytherein. For example, the smoking apparatus can be configured asillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, but set to bypass the coin machine 9 andthe bill acceptor 8, or the smoking apparatus can be configured withoutthe coin machine 9 and the bill acceptor 8.

When the smoking apparatus operates without accepting currency, thelighter 6 can be operable at all times to allow the user to light thesmoking implement. For example, when the lighter 6 includes theautomobile style lighter and the lighter port, the coils of the lighter6 heat up whenever the lighter 6 is pushed into the lighter port. Thesmokeless ashtray 5 can operate continuously to allow the user to smokethe smoking implement at any time. Alternatively, the smokeless ashtray5 can be activated according to a signal sent from the lighter 6 whenthe lighter 6 is operated, and operate for a predetermined amount oftime to allow the user to smoke the smoking implement.

According to another embodiment of the present general inventiveconcept, the smoking apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2 can alternatively beconfigured without the smokeless ashtray 5. With this configuration, thelighter 6 can be activated by the coin machine 9 and the bill acceptor8, as described above, or the lighter 6 can be activated by a switch, orthe like, such that the user does not require currency to operate thelighter 6.

As described above, a smoking apparatus according to the present generalinventive concept allows a user to light a smoking implement when theuser does not have access to a personal lighting device.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate accessory outlet apparatuses separately housinga lighter and a power supply unit according to various embodiments ofthe present general inventive concept.

Referring to FIG. 3, an accessory outlet apparatus includes a mainhousing 100 and a power supply housing 110 separated from the mainhousing 100. The main housing 100 can be shaped such that the mainhousing 100 can be accommodated on an arm rest of a chair. For example,the main housing 100 can have a predetermined shape corresponding to anarm rest of various types of chairs in order to be coupled thereto.However, the main housing 100 is not limited to having a shapecorresponding to an armrest of a chair, and may have any shapeconvenient to a location of use. Alternatively, the main housing 100 maybe free standing or attached to another support such as a wall, and thepower supply may not be located inside the main housing 100.

A lighter 102 is provided at the main housing 100. The lighter 102contains heating coils to allow the user to light a smoking implement(i.e., a cigarette, a cigar, etc.). The lighter 102 can be attached tothe main housing 100 by a security chain (not shown) to prevent thelighter 102 from being removed from the main housing 100, and the mainhousing 100 includes wiring to provide a voltage to the coils of thelighter 102. The lighter 102 can include an automobile type lighterhaving the coils that heat up to light the smoking implement and alighter port to accommodate the automobile style lighter. The lighterport can be a 12 volt power source to supply the voltage to the coils ofthe automobile type lighter when the automobile type lighter is pressedinto the lighter port.

A power supply unit 112 is provided in the power supply housing 110. Thepower supply unit 112 in the power supply housing 110 is electricallyconnected to the lighter 102 in the main housing 100 through the wiringof the main housing 100 to supply the voltage to the lighter 102, asillustrated in FIG. 3. The power supply unit 112 may include atransformer to convert electricity supplied by an external power source130 into a voltage compatible with the lighter 102. For example, thepower supply unit 112 can receive an alternating current (AC) signalfrom the external power source 130, convert the AC signal into a 12 voltdirect current (DC) signal, and transmit the 12 volt DC signal to thelighter port of the lighter 102.

The external power source 130 can be an electrical outlet outputting analternating current signal according to local specifications, but is notlimited thereto. For example the external power source 130 can outputone of a 110 volt AC signal (United States) and a 220 volt AC signal(Europe). The power supply unit 112 can receive and convert the ACsignal output from the external power source 130 according to the localspecifications.

Referring to the embodiment of FIG. 4, an accessory outlet apparatussimilar to the accessory outlet apparatus illustrated in the embodimentof FIG. 3 can further include a DC port 104 provided at the main housing100 to output the voltage converted by the power supplying unit 112. Forexample, when the power supply unit 112 converts the AC signal receivedfrom the external power source 130 into the 12 volt direct currentsignal, the power supply unit 112 transmits the 12 volt DC signal to thelighter 102 and to the DC port 104 through the wiring of the mainhousing 100. The DC port 104 can have a predetermined shape, such as anautomobile style DC port, to accommodate a plug of an external deviceand to supply a voltage to the external device. For example, the DC port104 can be used to charge and/or power a cellular telephone, a laptopcomputer, a portable listening device, etc.

FIGS. 5-14 illustrate accessory outlet apparatuses with self-containedpower supply units according to various additional embodiments of thepresent general inventive concept.

Referring to the embodiment of FIG. 5, an accessory outlet apparatus caninclude a housing 200, a lighter 202 provided at a surface of thehousing 200, and a power supply unit 204 installed within the housing200. The housing 200 can have a predetermined shape to be installed at apredetermined surface. For example, the housing 200 can have a shapecorresponding to an armrest of a specific type of chair to beinstallable on an armrest of the specific type of chair.

The lighter 202 contains heating coils to allow the user to light asmoking implement (i.e., a cigarette, a cigar, etc.). The lighter 202can be attached to the main housing 200 by a security chain (similar tothat illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 1) to prevent the lighter 202from being removed from the main housing 200, and the main housing 200includes wiring to provide a voltage to the coils of the lighter 202.The lighter 202 can include an automobile type lighter having coils thatheat up to light the smoking implement and a lighter port to accommodatethe automobile style lighter. The lighter port can be a 12 volt powersource to supply voltage to the coils of the automobile type lighterwhen the automobile type lighter is pressed into the lighter port.

The power supply unit 204 is electrically connected to the lighter 202through the wiring to supply the voltage to the lighter 202. The powersupply unit 112 may include a transformer to convert electricityreceived from an external power source 230 into a voltage compatiblewith the lighter 202. For example, the power supply unit 204 can receivean alternating current (AC) signal from the external power source 230,convert the AC signal into a 12 volt direct current (DC) signal, andtransmit the 12 volt DC signal to the lighter port of the lighter 202.

The external power source 230 can be an electrical outlet outputting analternating current signal according to local specifications, but is notlimited thereto. For example the external power source 230 can outputone of a 110 volt AC signal (United States) and a 220 volt AC signal(Europe). The power supply unit 204 is electrically connected to theexternal power source 230 and can receive and convert the AC signaloutput from the external power source 230 according to the localspecifications.

FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of the present general inventiveconcept. Referring to FIG. 6, an accessory outlet apparatus similar tothe accessory outlet apparatus illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 5can further include a currency acceptor 210 to accept currency from auser and to activate the lighter 202. The currency acceptor 210 caninclude a coin machine and/or a bill acceptor. As illustrated in FIG. 6,the currency acceptor 210 is electrically connected to and powered bythe external power source 230, and the power supply unit 204 iselectrically connected to the external power source 230 through thecurrency acceptor 210.

When the currency acceptor 210 receives a predetermined amount ofcurrency, the currency acceptor 210 provides a closed circuit betweenthe external power source 230 and the power supply unit 204 for apredetermined amount of time, and electricity flows from the externalpower source 230 to the power supply unit 204 for the predeterminedamount of time. The power supply unit 204 converts the electricityflowing from the external power source 230 to the voltage compatiblewith the lighter 202 and transmits the voltage to the lighter 202 toheat the coils of the lighter 202 for the predetermined amount of time.

FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of the present general inventiveconcept. Referring to FIG. 7, an accessory outlet apparatus similar tothe accessory outlet apparatus illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 5can further include a credit card reader 220 to read a credit card of auser and to activate the lighter 202. The credit card reader can includea swiping unit (not shown) to read credit card information from amagnetic strip on a credit card and/or a keypad (not shown) to allow theuser to input the credit card information. The credit card reader 220verifies the credit card information read in through the swiping unit orinput through the keypad through a communication line. The communicationline can be a phone line, an internet connection, or the like. Asillustrated in FIG. 7, the credit card reader 220 is electricallyconnected to and powered by the external power source 230, and the powersupply unit 204 is electrically connected to the external power source230 through a controller that is also connected to the credit cardreader 220.

When the credit card reader 220 verifies the credit card informationthrough the communication line, the credit card reader 220 charges anamount to the credit card of the user and provides a closed circuitbetween the power supply unit 204 and the external power source 230 foran amount of time determined according to the amount charged to thecredit card. Accordingly, electricity flows from the external powersource 230 to the power supply unit for the determined amount of time.The power supply unit 204 converts the electricity flowing from theexternal power source 230 to the voltage compatible with the lighter 202and transmits the voltage to the lighter 202 to heat the coils of thelighter 202 for the determined amount of time.

FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment of the present general inventiveconcept. Referring to FIG. 8, an accessory outlet apparatus similar tothe accessory outlet apparatus illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 5can further include a DC outlet 206 to output the voltage converted bythe power supply unit 204. For example, when the power supply unit 204converts the AC signal into the 12 volt DC signal, the power supply unit204 transmits the 12 volt DC signal to the lighter 202 and to the DCoutlet 206 through the wiring of the housing 200. The DC outlet 206 canhave a predetermined shape, such as an automobile style DC port, toaccommodate a plug of an external device to supply DC power to theexternal device. For example, the DC outlet 206 can be used to chargeand/or power a cellular telephone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), aportable listening device, etc.

FIG. 9 illustrates another embodiment of the present general inventiveconcept. Referring to FIG. 9, an accessory outlet apparatus similar tothe accessory outlet apparatus illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 8can further include one or more AC outlets 208 to output the AC signaloutput from the external power source 230. The AC outlets 208 areelectrically connected to the external power source 230 and output theAC signal according to the local specifications. For example, the ACoutlets 208 can output one of the 110 volt AC signal (United Statescode) and the 220 volt AC signal (Europe code). The AC outlets 208 areshaped to accommodate a type of plug corresponding to the localspecifications. The AC outlets 208 can be used to charge and/or powervarious electronic devices, such as laptop computers, cellulartelephones, etc.

FIG. 10 illustrates another embodiment of the present general inventiveconcept. Referring to FIG. 10, an accessory outlet apparatus similar tothe accessory outlet apparatus illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 9can further include a currency acceptor 210 to accept currency from auser and a controller 240 to activate the lighter 202, the DC outlet206, and the AC outlets 208 when the currency acceptor 210 receives apredetermined amount of currency. The currency acceptor 210 can includea coin machine and/or a bill acceptor to receive coins and/or bills,respectively. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the controller 240 iselectrically connected to the external power source 230 and the currencyacceptor 210, the power supply unit 204, and the AC outlets 208 areelectrically connected to the external power source 230 through thecontroller 240.

The controller 240 can provide a closed circuit between the currencyacceptor 210 and the external power source 230 such that electricityflows from the external power source 230 and powers the currencyacceptor 210. When the currency acceptor 210 receives the predeterminedamount of currency, the currency acceptor 210 sends an activation signalto the controller 240. When the controller 240 receives the activationsignal, the controller 240 provides a closed circuit between theexternal power source 230 and the AC outlets 208 and provides a closedcircuit between the external power source 230 and the power supply unit204 for a predetermined amount of time. Accordingly, electricity flowsfrom the external power source 230 to the AC outlets 208 and to thepower supply unit 204 for the predetermined amount of time. When theelectricity flows to the power supply unit 204, the power supply unitconverts the electricity to the voltage compatible with the lighter 202and transmits the voltage to the lighter 202 to heat the coils of thelighter 202 and to the DC outlet 206 for the predetermined amount oftime. Therefore, a user can use the lighter 202, the DC outlet 206, andthe AC outlets 208 for the predetermined amount of time.

FIG. 11 illustrates another embodiment of the present general inventiveconcept. Referring to FIG. 11, an accessory outlet apparatus similar tothe accessory outlet apparatus illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 9can further include a credit card reader 220 to read a credit card of auser and a controller 240 to activate the lighter 202, the DC outlet206, and the AC outlets 208 when the credit card reader 220 reads thecredit card of the user. The credit card reader 220 can include aswiping unit (not shown) to read credit card information from a magneticstrip on a credit card and/or a keypad (not shown) to allow the user toinput the credit card information. The credit card reader 220 verifiesthe credit card information read in through the swiping unit or inputthrough the keypad through a communication line. The communication linecan be a phone line, an internet connection, or the like, and the creditcard reader 224 can be connected to the communication line through thecontroller 240. As illustrated in FIG. 11, the controller 240 iselectrically connected to the external power source 230 and the creditcard reader 220, the power supply unit 204, and the AC outlets 208 areelectrically connected to the external power source 230 through thecontroller 240.

The controller 240 provides a closed circuit between the credit cardreader 220 and the external power source 230 such that electricity flowsfrom the external power source 230 and powers the credit card reader220. When the credit card reader 220 verifies the credit cardinformation of the user, the credit card reader 220 charges an amount tothe credit card and sends an activation signal to the controller 240.When the controller 240 receives the activation signal, the controller240 provides a closed circuit between the external power source 230 andthe AC outlets 208 and provides a closed circuit between the externalpower source 230 and the power supply unit 204 for an amount of timedetermined according to the amount charged to the credit card.Accordingly electricity flows from the external power source 230 to theAC outlets 208 and to the power supply unit 204 for the determinedamount of time. When the electricity flows to the power supply unit 204,the power supply unit 204 converts the electricity to the voltagecompatible with the lighter 202 and transmits the voltage to the lighter202 to heat the coils of the lighter 202 and to the DC outlet 206 forthe determined amount of time. Therefore, the user can use the lighter202, the DC outlet 206 and the AC outlets 208 for the determined amountof time.

FIG. 12 illustrates another embodiment of the present general inventiveconcept. Referring to FIG. 12, an accessory outlet apparatus similar tothe accessory outlet apparatus illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 9can further include one or more internet connection ports 250 to connectexternal devices to the internet. The internet connection ports 250 canbe connected to an internet connection line through a switching unit252. As illustrated in FIG. 12, the internet connection ports 250 can beEthernet ports to connect the host devices to the internet through anEthernet connection line and the switching unit 252 can be an Ethernetswitch to divide bandwidth of the Ethernet connection line between theEthernet ports. The switching unit 252 is not limited to an Ethernetswitch, and may alternatively include a router, a hub, or the like. Theinternet connection ports 250 are not limited to Ethernet ports, and caninclude any type of port that allows an external device of a user toconnect to the internet. Although the internet connection ports 250 areillustrated as being connected to the internet connection line in FIG.12, the present general inventive concept is not limited thereto. Forexample, the internet connection ports 250 may alternatively communicatewith the internet wirelessly. The internet connection ports 250 allow auser to connect an external device, such as a laptop computer, to theinternet. While the external device is connected to the internet throughthe internet connection ports 250, the user can power or charge theexternal device or another device through one of the AC outlets 208 orthrough the DC outlet 206.

FIG. 13 illustrates another embodiment of the present general inventiveconcept. Referring to FIG. 13, an accessory outlet apparatus similar tothe accessory outlet apparatus illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 12can further include a currency acceptor 210 to accept currency from auser and a controller 240 to activate the lighter 202, the DC outlet206, the AC outlets 208, and the internet communication ports 250 whenthe currency acceptor 210 receives a predetermined amount of currency.The currency acceptor 210 can include a coin machine and/or a billacceptor to receive coins and/or bills, respectively. As illustrated inFIG. 13, the controller 240 can be electrically connected to theexternal power source 230 and the currency acceptor 210, the powersupply unit 204, and the AC outlets 208 can be electrically connected tothe external power source 230 through the controller 240.

The controller 240 provides a closed circuit between the currencyacceptor 210 and the external power source 230 such that electricityflows from the external power source 230 and powers the currencyacceptor 210. When the currency acceptor 210 receives the predeterminedamount of currency, the currency acceptor 210 sends an activation signalto the controller 240. When the controller 240 receives the activationsignal, the controller 240 provides a closed circuit between theexternal power source 230 and the AC outlets 208, provides a closedcircuit between the external power source 230 and the power supply unit204, and controls the switching unit 252 to connect the internetconnection ports 250 to the internet connection line for a predeterminedamount of time. Accordingly, the electricity flows from the externalpower source 230 to the AC outlets 208 and to the power supply unit 204for the predetermined amount of time, and the internet connectionportions 250 are connected to the internet for the predetermined amountof time. When the electricity flows to the power supply unit 204, thepower supply unit 204 converts the electricity to the voltage compatiblewith the lighter 202 and transmits the voltage to the lighter 202 toheat the coils of the lighter 202 and to the DC outlet 206 for thepredetermined amount of time. Therefore, the user can use the lighter202, the DC outlet 206, the AC outlets 208, and the internet connectionports 250 for the predetermined amount of time.

FIG. 14 illustrates another embodiment of the present general inventiveconcept. Referring to FIG. 14, an accessory outlet apparatus similar tothe accessory outlet apparatus illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 12can further include a credit card reader 220 to read a credit card of auser and a controller 240 to activate the lighter 202, the DC outlet206, the AC outlets 208, and the internet communication ports 250 whenthe credit card reader 220 reads the credit card of the user.

The credit card reader 220 can include a swiping unit (not shown) toread credit card information from a magnetic strip on a credit cardand/or a keypad (not shown) to allow the user to input the credit cardinformation. The credit card reader 220 verifies the credit cardinformation read in through the swiping unit or input through the keypadthrough a communication line. The communication line can be a phoneline, an internet connection, or the like. As illustrated in FIG. 14,the credit card reader 224 can connect to the internet connection linethrough the controller 240 and uses the internet connection line as thecommunication line. The controller 240 is electrically connected to theexternal power source 230 and the card reader 220, the power supply unit204, and the AC outlets 208 are connected to the external power source230 through the controller 240.

The controller 240 provides a closed circuit between the credit cardreader 220 and the external power source 230 such that electricity flowsfrom the external power source 230 and powers the credit card reader220. When the credit card reader 220 verifies the credit cardinformation of the user, the credit card reader 220 charges an amount tothe credit card and sends an activation signal to the controller 240.When the controller 240 receives the activation signal, the controller240 provides a closed circuit between the external power source 230 andthe AC outlets 208, provides a closed circuit between the external powersource 230 and the power supply unit 204, and controls the switchingunit 252 to connect the internet connection ports 250 to the internetconnection line for an amount of time determined according to the amountcharged to the credit card. Accordingly, electricity flows from theexternal power source 230 to the AC outlets 208 and to the power supplyunit 204 for the determined amount of time, and the internet connectionportions 250 are connected to the internet for the determined amount oftime. When the electricity flows to the power supply unit 204, the powersupply unit 204 converts the electricity to the voltage compatible withthe lighter 202 and transmits the voltage to the lighter 202 to heat thecoils of the lighter 202 and to the DC outlet 206 for the determinedamount of time. Therefore, the use can use the lighter 202, the DCoutlet 206, the AC outlets 208, and the internet connection ports 250for the determined amount of time.

FIG. 15 illustrates an accessory outlet station 300 according to anotherembodiment of the present general inventive concept. Referring to FIG.15, the accessory outlet station 300 includes an armrest shaped mainbody 302, a first panel 310 and a second panel 320. The armrest shapedmain body 302 has a predetermined shape corresponding to an armrest of aspecific type of chair to couple to the armrest of the specific type ofchair. The main body 302 can be held together and coupled to the armrestusing screws 304, or the like.

The first panel 310 can be provided at a side of the main body 302facing forward with respect to the chair having the armrest to which themain body 302 is coupled. The first panel 310 can include a lighter unit312, a DC outlet 314, one or more AC outlets 316, and one or moreinternet connection ports 318.

The lighter unit 312 can include an automobile type lighter 312 a havingcoils that heat up to light a smoking implement, and a lighter port 312b to accommodate the automobile style lighter 312 a. The lighter port312 b can be a 12 volt DC power source to supply a DC voltage to thecoils of the automobile type lighter 312 a when the automobile typelighter 312 a is pressed into the lighter port 312 b. The automobiletype lighter 312 a can be connected to the first panel 310 using aretractable security chain 313. The DC outlet 314 can be a 12 volt DCpower source to supply a DC voltage to an external device plugged intothe DC outlet 314. For example, the DC outlet can be used to charge acellular telephone, a portable listening device, and the like.

The AC outlets 316 output an AC signal according to localspecifications. For example, the AC outlets 316 can be 110 volt ACoutlets or 220 volt AC outlets, and can have a shape corresponding to a110 volt AC plug or a 220 volt AC plug to be plugged into the AC outlets316. The AC outlets 316 can be used to charge and/or power externaldevices, such as, laptop computers, cellular telephones, and the like.

The internet connection ports 318 allow a user to connect an externaldevice, such as a laptop computer, to the internet. The internetconnection ports can be Ethernet connection ports to connect to theinternet through an Ethernet connection line, and can accommodate RJ-45plugs to be plugged into the internet connection ports, but are notlimited thereto.

The second panel 320 can be provided at a side of the main body 302facing upwards with respect to the chair having the armrest to which themain body 302 is coupled. The second panel 320 can include a keypad 322to enter a PIN (personal identification number) to activate theaccessory outlet station 300. The user can receive the PIN at a kiosk400 (see FIG. 16) after purchasing a predetermined amount of time, andwhen the user enters the PIN using the keypad 322, the accessory outletstation 300 is activated for the predetermined amount of time. That is,power is supplied to the lighter unit 312, the DC outlet 314, and the ACoutlets 316 for the predetermined amount of time, and the internetconnection ports 318 are connected to the internet for the predeterminedamount of time. The second panel 320 can also include a credit cardreader (not shown) and/or a currency acceptor (not shown) to allow auser to purchase a predetermined amount of time directly at theaccessory outlet station 300.

Although FIG. 15 illustrates the accessory outlet station 300 includingthe lighter unit 312, the present general inventive concept is notlimited thereto. For example, the accessory outlet station 300 mayalternatively include a second DC outlet if placed in an area in whichsmoking is prohibited.

FIG. 16 illustrates a serial control system to control a plurality ofaccessory outlet stations 300 according to an embodiment of the presentgeneral inventive concept. Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, the serialcontrol system comprises a kiosk 400, the plurality of accessory outletstations 300, and a serial connection 350 to connect the kiosk 400 tothe plurality of accessory outlet stations 300. As illustrated in FIG.16, each of the plurality of accessory outlet stations 300 areelectrically connected to an external power source 360, but the presentgeneral inventive concept is not limited thereto. Alternatively, many ofthe accessory outlet stations 300 can share an external power source360.

The kiosk 400 communicates with and controls each of the plurality ofaccessory outlet stations 300 through the serial connection 350. When auser wants to use one of the plurality of accessory outlet stations 300,the user can purchase a predetermined amount of time at the kiosk 400.The kiosk can include a credit card reader to allow the user to purchasethe predetermined amount of time using a credit card. The kiosk 400assigns the user a PIN corresponding to the purchased amount of time.The kiosk 400 can also dispense prepaid cards having a predeterminednumber of minutes on them, which could be recharged or redeemed at anykiosk 400.

The user then selects one of the plurality of accessory outlet stations300, and enters the PIN assigned by the kiosk 400 using the keypad 322of the selected accessory outlet station 300. The selected accessoryoutlet station 300 then communicates with the kiosk 400 through theserial connection 350 to verify the entered PIN. When the kiosk 400verifies the PIN, the kiosk 400 activates the selected accessory outletstation 300 for the purchased amount of time corresponding to theverified PIN. That is, the kiosk 400 controls the selected accessoryoutlet station 300 through the serial connection 350 to provide a closedcircuit between the selected accessory outlet station 300 and thecorresponding external power source 360 to supply power to the lighterunit 312, the DC outlet 314, and the AC outlets 316 of the selectedaccessory outlet station 300. The kiosk 400 also controls the internetconnection ports 318 of the selected accessory outlet station 300 tocommunicate with the internet for the predetermined amount of time. Forexample, the kiosk 400 can be connected to an internet communicationline, and the kiosk 400 can connect the internet connection ports 318 tothe internet communication line through a switch. Alternatively, thekiosk 400 can include a wireless router to access the internetwirelessly.

Each of the plurality of accessory outlet stations 300 can also includea prepaid card reader to read the prepaid cards dispensed from the kiosk400. A user with a prepaid card could then insert the prepaid card intothe card reader instead of entering a PIN to activate the selectedaccessory outlet station 300.

The kiosk 400 can include a touch screen menu to allow the user toconveniently purchase a predetermined amount of time at the kiosk 400.The kiosk can also include a programmable logic controller (PLC) or anindustrial computer to control the plurality of accessory outletstations 300. The kiosk 400 can also be used to remotely monitor theplurality of accessory outlet stations 300.

As described above, the user can purchase a predetermined amount of timeat the kiosk 400, but the present general inventive concept is notlimited thereto. For example, each of the plurality of accessory outletstations 300 can include a credit card reader to allow the user topurchase the predetermined amount of time at the selected accessoryoutlet station 300, without using the kiosk 400. The selected accessoryoutlet station 300 can then communicate with the kiosk 400 to verifycredit card information read by the credit card reader, and the when thecredit card information is verified, the kiosk 400 can activate theselected accessory outlet station 300.

As an alternative, the kiosk can also be eliminated and a maincontroller without any user interface (customer side) can be usedinstead. Thus, although the principle operation will remain the same asdescribed above, the user interface (i.e., credit card reader, keypad,display, etc.) can be housed in the individual outlet stations.

Although a few embodiments of the present general inventive concept havebeen shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in theart that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing fromthe principles and spirit of the general inventive concept, the scope ofwhich is defined in the appended claims and their equivalents.

1. An accessory outlet apparatus, comprising: a main housing; a lighterunit including a heater coil provided at the main housing to receive avoltage; and a power supply housing separated from the main housing, andincluding a power supply unit provided therein to receive electricityfrom an external power source, to convert the received electricity intoa voltage compatible with the lighter unit and to transmit thecompatible voltage to the lighter unit to heat the heater coil.
 2. Theaccessory outlet apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power supply unitcomprises a transformer to convert one of a 110 volt and a 220 voltalternating current signal received from the external power source intoa 12 volt direct current signal.
 3. The accessory outlet apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising: a power outlet to provide power to anexternal device plugged into the power outlet.
 4. The accessory outletapparatus of claim 3, wherein the power supply unit transmits thecompatible voltage to the lighter unit and to the power outlet, and thepower outlet comprises: a direct current power outlet to receive thecompatible voltage transmitted from the power supply unit and to outputthe received voltage to the external device plugged into the poweroutlet.
 5. The accessory outlet apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mainhousing is formed in a predetermined shape to couple with an arm rest ofa chair.
 6. An accessory outlet apparatus, comprising: a main body; alighter unit including a coil provided at the main body to receiveelectricity to heat the coil; one or more power outlets provided at themain body to receive electricity and to provide power to externaldevices when plugged into the one or more power outlets; and a controlunit to control a supply of the electricity to the lighter unit and tothe one or more power outlets.
 7. The accessory outlet apparatus ofclaim 6, wherein the one or more power outlets comprise: one or more DCpower outlets to transfer a DC voltage to the external devices pluggedinto the one or more power outlets.
 8. The accessory outlet apparatus ofclaim 6, wherein the one or more power outlets comprise: one or more ACpower outlets to transfer an AC voltage to the external devices pluggedinto the one or more power outlets.
 9. The accessory outlet apparatus ofclaim 6, wherein the one or more power outlets comprise: one or more DCpower outlets to transfer a DC voltage to external devices plugged intothe one or more DC power outlets; and one or more AC power outlets totransfer an AC voltage to external devices plugged into the one or moreAC power outlets.
 10. The accessory outlet apparatus of claim 9, whereineach of the one or more DC power outlets comprises a 12 volt DC powerport.
 11. The accessory outlet apparatus of claim 9, wherein each of theone or more AC power outlets outputs one of a 110 volt AC signal and a220 volt AC signal.
 12. The accessory outlet apparatus of claim 9,further comprising: a power supply unit to receive an AC voltage from anexternal power source, to convert the AC voltage to a DC voltage, and totransmit the DC voltage to the lighter unit to heat the coil of thelighter unit and to the one or more DC power outlets, wherein the ACvoltage from the external power source is supplied to the AC poweroutlets.
 13. The accessory outlet apparatus of claim 12, wherein thecontrol unit selectively provides a closed circuit between the powersupply unit and the external power source to control the power supplyunit to supply the DC voltage to the lighter unit and the one or more DCpower outlets, and selectively provides a closed circuit between the oneor more AC outlets and the external power source to supply the ACvoltage to the one or more AC power outlets
 14. The accessory outletapparatus of claim 6, wherein the control unit comprises: one of acurrency acceptor and a credit card reader to allow a user to purchasean amount of time; and a control to supply the electricity to thelighter and to the one or more power outlets for the purchased amount oftime.
 15. The accessory outlet apparatus of claim 6, further comprising:one or more internet connection ports to connect external devicesplugged into the one or more internet connection ports to the internet,wherein the control unit activates the one or more internet connectionports when the control unit supplies the electricity to the lighter andto the one or more power outlets.
 16. The accessory outlet apparatus ofclaim 6, wherein the main body has a predetermined shape correspondingto an armrest of a chair to be attachable to the armrest of the chair.17. An accessory outlet apparatus, comprising: a main body; a lighterincluding a heater coil attached to the main body to receive electricityto heat the heater coil; one or more internet connection ports providedat the main body to connect external devices plugged into the one ormore internet connection ports to the internet; and a control unit toselectively supply the electricity to the lighter and to selectivelyconnect the internet connection ports to the internet.
 18. The accessoryoutlet apparatus of claim 17, wherein the control unit comprises: acurrency acceptor to accept currency and to supply the electricity tothe lighter and to connect the one or more internet connection ports tothe internet for a predetermined amount of time after accepting apredetermined amount of the currency.
 19. The accessory outlet apparatusof claim 17, wherein the control unit comprises: a credit card reader tocharge an amount to a credit card corresponding to a desired amount oftime, and to supply the electricity to the lighter unit and to connectthe one or more internet connection ports to the internet for thedesired amount of time after charging the credit card.
 20. The accessoryoutlet apparatus of claim 17, further comprising: a switching unit toconnect the one or more internet connection ports to an externalinternet connection line according to a control signal from the controlunit and to divide a bandwidth of the external internet connection linebetween the one or more internet connection ports.
 21. The accessoryoutlet apparatus of claim 17, wherein each of the one or more internetconnection ports comprise: an Ethernet port to accommodate an RJ-45 plugof an external device therein and to connect the external device to theinternet through an Ethernet connection line or a wireless connectionline.
 22. The accessory outlet apparatus of claim 17, furthercomprising: one or more DC power outlets to provide a DC power to anexternal device; and one or more AC power outlets to provide an AC powerto an external device, wherein the control unit supplies electricity tothe one or more DC power outlets and to the one or more AC power outletswhen the control unit supplies the electricity to the lighter.
 23. Theaccessory outlet apparatus of claim 17, wherein the main body has apredetermined shape corresponding to an armrest of a chair to beattachable to the armrest of the chair.
 24. An accessory outletapparatus, comprising: a lighter unit including a heater coil to receivea DC voltage to heat the heater coil; at least one DC outlet to receivethe DC voltage, to accommodate a first type of plug, and to transfer thereceived DC voltage to an external device through the first type ofplug; at least one AC outlet to receive an AC voltage from an externalpower source, to accommodate a second type of plug, and to transfer thereceived AV voltage to an external device through the second type ofplug; and at least one internet connection port to communicate with theinternet.
 25. The accessory outlet apparatus of claim 24, wherein the atleast one internet connection port accommodates a third type of plug,and connects an external device to the internet through the third typeof plug.
 26. The accessory outlet apparatus of claim 24, wherein the atleast one internet connection port communicates with the internetwirelessly.
 27. The accessory outlet apparatus of claim 24, furthercomprising: a power supply unit to receive the AC voltage from theexternal power source, to convert the AC voltage into the DC voltage,and to transmit the DC voltage to the lighter unit and to the DC outlet.28. The accessory outlet apparatus of claim 24, wherein the first plugcomprises: a 12 volt DC plug.
 29. The accessory outlet apparatus ofclaim 24, wherein the second plug comprises: one of a 110 volt AC plugand a 220 volt AC plug.
 30. The accessory outlet apparatus of claim 24,wherein the third plug comprises either an RJ-45 Ethernet plug oranother type of internet connection.
 31. The accessory outlet apparatusof claim 24, further comprising: a currency acceptor to accept currency;and a controller to prevent the lighter unit from receiving the DCvoltage, the at least one DC outlet from receiving the DC voltage, theat least one AC outlet from receiving the AC voltage, and the at leastone internet connection port from communication with the internet unlessa predetermined amount of currency is accepted, and to control thelighter unit to receive the DC voltage, the at least one DC outlet toreceive the Dc voltage, the at least one AC outlet to receive the ACvoltage, and the at least one internet connection port to communicatewith the internet for a predetermined amount of time when thepredetermined amount of currency is accepted.
 32. The accessory outletapparatus of claim 24, further comprising: a credit card reader tocharge an amount to a credit card; and a controller to prevent thelighter unit from receiving the DC voltage, the at least one DC outletfrom receiving the DC voltage, the at least one AC outlet from receivingthe AC voltage, and the at least one internet connection port fromcommunication with the internet when the no credit card is charged, andto control the lighter unit to receive the DC voltage, the at least oneDC outlet to receive the Dc voltage, the at least one AC outlet toreceive the AC voltage, and the at least one internet connection port tocommunicate with the internet for an amount of time corresponding to theamount charged to the credit card when the credit card is charged. 33.An accessory outlet system, comprising: a plurality of accessory outletstations, each comprising: a lighter unit to light a smoking implement,one or more DC outlets to provide DC power to external devices, one ormore AC outlets to provide AC power to external devices, and one or moreinternet connection ports to connect external devices to the internet;and a kiosk connected to the plurality of accessory outlet stations tocontrol a supply of electricity and an internet access capability toeach of the plurality of accessory outlet stations.
 34. The accessoryoutlet system of claim 33, wherein the kiosk comprises: a credit cardreader to allow a user to purchase an amount of time of electricity andinternet access supplied, and the kiosk assigns a PIN corresponding tothe purchased amount of time.
 35. The accessory outlet system of claim34, wherein each of the plurality of accessory outlet stations furthercomprises: a keypad to enter the assigned PIN, and when the user entersthe assigned PIN from a selected one of the plurality of accessoryoutlet stations, the kiosk verifies the entered PIN and controlselectricity and internet access to the selected one of the plurality ofaccessory outlet stations.
 36. The accessory outlet system of claim 33,wherein each of the plurality of accessory outlet stations furthercomprises: a credit card reader to allow a user to purchase an amount oftime at a selected one of the plurality of accessory outlet stations andto communicate with the kiosk to verify credit card information of theuser, and when the credit card information of the user is verifiedthrough the credit card verification service, the kiosk controlselectricity and internet access to the selected one of the plurality ofaccessory outlet stations.
 37. The accessory outlet system of claim 34,wherein each of the plurality of accessory outlet stations furthercomprise a keypad with a display to allow transaction activitiesdirectly from an accessory outlet system.